Romanita Matta-Barrera, Chief Workforce Officer of greater:SATX, and Francisco “Paco” Gonzaba, Executive Director of the Gonzaba Medical Group, have joined the Our Lady of the Lake University (OLLU) Board of Trustees.

At greater:SATX, Matta-Barrera leads efforts to align education, workforce and economic development to meet the talent needs of the region’s current and future employers. She brings a wealth of business and nonprofit experience to OLLU. Matta-Barrera previously served as CEO of Fluent Strategy Group and Deputy Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans in the George W. Bush Administration. She also represented San Antonio in the Harvard Business School’s Young American Leaders Program.

“OLLU has the tremendous potential to be a beacon of opportunity,” Matta-Barrera said. “While it serves learners from across the country, it’s located in the heart of the West Side, where we can work to ensure that future generations are able to maximize their potential. I want to be a part of laying that foundation for support to the students that seek to improve their lives through quality education.”  

At the Gonzaba Medical Group, Gonzaba oversees marketing and growth strategies, clinical operations, information technology, contact center operations, patient experience and operational excellence. He works with the Executive Mentorship Program for the American College of Healthcare Executives and serves as a mentor to future healthcare leaders. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Executive Advisory Board Committee for the University of the Incarnate Word’s master’s in Health Administration program. 

“The mission and culture of Gonzaba Medical Group is to serve the community and I feel what Our Lady of the Lake is doing is completely in line with that,” said Gonzaba, son of the group founder, William “Bill” Gonzaba. 

Paco Gonzaba says he was drawn to join the Board of Trustees, in part, by the example set by OLLU President Abel Chávez, PhD. “Dr. Chávez is a dynamic leader. There are a lot of similarities between him and I. He has a passion for evolving Our Lady of the Lake, keeping the university true to its roots and cultural identity. The school has great historical significance and where he wants to take it is inspiring.”